The Los Angeles Network for Enhanced Services (LANES), powered by Western Health Information Network (WHIN), is an initiative that seeks to improve health care delivery in Los Angeles County by ensuring that health information important to health care delivery is available when and where it is needed in a safe and secure manner. LANES, a public and private partnership, is currently comprised of the County of Los Angeles (Chief Executive Office); Healthy-e-LA; Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County; L.A. Care Health Plan; and HASC.

LANES recognizes one of the barriers to the mobilization of data to support health care goals is the cost associated with it. In response to state and federal efforts to improve the sharing of health information, LANES was created in order to develop capital funds to pay for health information exchange licenses and reduce initial implementation costs to health care providers. LANES intends to engage in several fund development activities in 2011 and the first grant opportunity is due Jan. 27, 2011.

LANES is preparing a proposal to Cal eConnect, which was designated by the state of California to receive $38.8 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to enable electronic HIE across the state.

LANES selected WHIN (a non-profit entity) as its IT implementation solution based on its successful implementation of a nationwide health information network demonstration project; its understanding and experience in garnering local participation and support in HIE projects; and its connection to the Los Angeles community of providers. WHIN is already working with some hospitals, clinics and health plans.

Hospitals interested in this project need to submit a letter of support that can be included in the Cal eConnect application. Deadline to submit support letter on hospital letterhead/stationary is Jan. 26, 2011. Support letters need to be mailed to HASC for inclusion in the grant application.

HASC will schedule a meeting for those hospitals that express an interest in the project to meet with WHIN representatives to address IT related questions.